MONTANA: Bill To Ban All Local LGBT Rights Passes Committee Vote

The Tea Party-backed bill to ban local LGBT rights ordinances in Montana today passed a committee vote and will move forward to the full state House.

The committee voted to endorse House Bill 516, by Rep. Kristin Hansen, R-Havre, which would prohibit local governments from enacting ordinances or other policies like Missoula's that include, as a protected class from discrimination, any groups not included under the Montana Human Rights Act. The panel also voted to table HB514, by Rep. Edie McClafferty, D-Butte, which would have expanded the Montana Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression and sexual orientation. The move to table came after a motion to pass her bill failed.

Missoula, home to the University of Montana, is the only city in the state that presently protects LGBT residents from discrimination. And one is too many for the teabaggers.